Well, I had my 1997 V-6 Accord taken to the dealer after I attempted to do the timing belt with a friend (110,000 miles on it). They called and said that #1 cyl has 180 psi, #2 is at 60 psi and 3, 4, 5, and 6 are at 0 psi; basically bent valves. The dealer says it'll be expensive and not worth in on a 10 year old car. My question is, take it somewhere to have them fix it (and how much $) or me? How hard of a job is it? I've done head gaskets, heater cores, etc,but have never done valves. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew on this one. Any suggestions? Dave

 

It all depends ifbent valves are the only problem.
My question for you now is: What have you got to lose? You won't get much trying to sell it right now. You might as well try to fix it!

 

I went through the same thing this summer with my 4 cylinder. I removed the head and paid a machine shop about $400 to repair it. That was the el cheapo deal: clean, reseat, and replace damaged valves. If you go through with it, spend the extra money and have the seals and stems replaced.

You need toconsider the fact that you have two heads that need cleaned; my quote was just over $300 plus the cost of valves (I needed 7). So you're looking at about $600 + minimum5 valves @ $10-$15 a piece + seal/stem kit ($100?) + head gasket ($50?) = about $800to $825. If you bent one valve you probably bent two so double the valve cost = $850 to $875. To have a shop do the head removal/install I would guess at least $400 to $500 labor on top of that. So that comes to min. $1200or most likely$1375.

Short answer: junkyard motor. You have my sympathy.

 

I just called a machine shop to do a head job, they quoted me $800, and then add $250 for a head gasket kit. I figure I'd do the rest of the work myself. I'm starting to think that the original $900 I was quoted for a timing belt replacement was a good deal.

 

You can probaly pick up a good used engine for less than that. That's what we usually do.

 

I agree... pickup a used engine, that's what I would do.

 

trash it. new motor.

see if you can shoehorn an S54 in there.

 

I hear ya! I was quoted $700 to $750 for a complete timing belt service and I ended up spending about $650 + numerous hours under the car. Next time I'll take it to the shop and have them loosen the pulley bolt for me.[:@]

 

Pulley bolt should be easy if you can borrow a large compressor and a good impact gun. Not a cheepo ones.